Jordanian King Abdullah: 'The friends of Middle East peace are also actively working and today they have an opportunity to succeed'

Jordan hosted today Nobel laureates from around the world - Twenty nine peace prize winners including Elie Wiesel gathered in the ancient city of Petra. Over the next two days they will try to find solutions for problems such as terror and peace, economic development and poverty, health, education and media.

King Abdullah: 'There has been a wave of reform aimed at democracy and development. These steps are vital to meet the expectations of our people, especially of our young people, for freedom and opportunity. The friends of Middle East peace are also actively working and today they have an imprested opportunity to succeed. The basic goals are shared by people on both sides. Justice for the Palestinians, Security for the Israelis. Two states living side by side based on international legality. The challenge now is to help people to hold that vision, to believe in a future of peace, despite the forces of violence. Around the world people are also struggling to confront hatred. The vast majority, east and west, north and south, reject the course and call of extremism. They know it is profoundly anti-peace, anti-progress and anti-democratic. But we need to do more on all sides to reinforce the basic values of humanity.'